VW: CO2 issue mostly concluded

Just
weeks after questions relating to the CO2figures
measured on some of the group's models arose, Volkswagen says it has
largely concluded the clarification of the matter.

Following
extensive internal investigations and measurement checks, the
automaker says it is now clear that almost all of these model
variants do correspond to the CO2figures
originally determined. This means that these vehicles can be marketed
and sold without any limitations. The suspicion that the fuel
consumption figures of current production vehicles had been
unlawfully changed was not confirmed. During internal re-measurements
slight deviations were found on just nine model variants of the
Volkswagen brand.

These
model variants are expected to be re-measured by a neutral technical
service under the supervision of the appropriate authority by
Christmas. In cases where the correctness of original figures is
confirmed, there will be no consequences. These cars can be offered
for sale by dealers without any reservations. In the case of any
deviations, the figures will be adjusted in the future in the course
of the normal processes as required.

Volkswagen
presented these results to the investigation commission of the
Federal Government and the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA).
The figure of approximately 800,000 vehicles under suspicion
originally published by the Volkswagen Group has not been confirmed.
The deviations found in the figures for only nine model variants, it
adds, amount to a few grams of CO2
on average, corresponding to increased cycle consumption in the NEDC
of approximately 0.1 to 0.2 litres per 100 kilometres. With an annual
production of approximately 36,000 vehicles, these model variants
correspond to around only 0.5 per cent of the volume of the
Volkswagen brand. The list of the nine model variants can be found at
www.volkswagen-media-services.com.

The
Group's subsidiaries Audi, SKODA and SEAT have also agreed a similar
procedure with the approval authorities responsible for the vehicles
initially considered.

That
spells good news for VW dealers as the brand explains customers'
real-world consumption figures do not change and neither are any
technical vehicle modifications necessary. Against this background,
the negative impact on earnings of €2 billion that was originally
expected has not been confirmed.